Monday, August 4, 2008

So Many Hours On The Bus, But Still. . .Things I Miss About the Bus

Hans, Lynda and I arrived back in Columbus tonight about 11 pm after a long ride home from Chicago. We slept a bit but also mostly talked so much about everyone who was NOT in the bus. And you know, it's all you amazing students who are right now still in the air to Korea, on your way home. I can't believe the program is over, and now that it is, I really wish it was NOT. I even miss the van driving and all the bus time!

Wow, today after we left you at the airport, the bus was so empty with just us in it. We missed the singing. We missed the jokes and laughing. The stories. The questions. The Mafia! ha ha ha, and how come the Killers always win?! The sleeping. The eating and snack breaks (wasn't that ice cream at Princeton good?!) Even the grumbling we miss! Mostly, we miss the voices, the personalities, and the great relationships we had with our friends from China, and for us three amigos coming home today, it made the trip home somewhat melancholy. But I'm so thankful for the time we had and I know it is just "see you!" and not goodbye for many of our new friends. I know that we really feel blessed to have had such a wonderful time with all of you students. We can't wait to hear from you here on the blog and in emails. I guess what I want to say just plainly is WE REALLY MISS YOU ALL. And we will continue to miss you because life is more special when our friends from China are in it.

So, travel safe, friends, and know that all of us (Ba Lin, Hans, Lynda, I) are home to Columbus safe and you are all in our thoughts and/or prayers.

Starting in mid July, 46 brave travelers from Wuhan University in Wuhan, China will be hosted by team members at The Ohio State University for a culture, travel, and language Summer Study Program. This blog will let our friends in China and the United States keep up with the group, and share in the learning and fun!